118: Chapter 118 The Fifth Life, The Blazing Sun Illuminates the Martial Path (Sixty-Six)

Chu Shi took the teacup with both hands, carefully carried it before Peak Master Lieyang, and bowed as he offered it: "Master, please have some tea."

Peak Master Lieyang took the teacup, sipped it lightly, and placed the teacup back on the tray.

He looked at Chu Shi and nodded with satisfaction: "Not bad, you lad have filial piety."

"Since you entered the sect these past few months, I have been busy with sect affairs and haven't taken much care of you. Now that you have officially become my direct disciple, I cannot be without a gesture."

Before the words fell, Peak Master Lieyang waved his hand, and two golden lights flew out from the storage ring on his finger, hovering in front of Chu Shi.

The golden light dissipated, revealing a pair of entirely crimson gauntlets and a scroll shimmering with golden radiance.

"These gauntlets are named 'Crimson Flame Gold-Splitting', and they are Mystic-grade high-tier treasures." Peak Master Lieyang pointed at the gauntlets and introduced them.

"Forged from millennium red copper mixed with earth-core fire crystals, they are impervious to water and fire, and indestructible. After wearing them, they can amplify the power of fire and metal attribute cultivation techniques by thirty percent, and can even withstand weapon attacks from cultivators of the same rank."

"At the same time, it has another wonderful use."

Peak Master Lieyang flicked his finger, and a golden beam shot into the gauntlets.

The gauntlets instantly transformed, turning into a completely crimson warhammer, with intricate flame patterns carved onto the hammer head.

"It can freely switch between gauntlets and warhammer; whether it is close-quarters combat or artifact forging, it is extremely handy."

Chu Shi looked at the crimson warhammer, his mouth twitching imperceptibly. Sure enough. He knew this old geezer had no good intentions! This was clearly pushing him down the path of a blacksmith!

"As for this scroll." Peak Master Lieyang pointed to the scroll shimmering with golden light again, his tone becoming exceptionally solemn.

"This is the core heritage of our Lieyang Peak that allows us to establish ourselves, the first volume of the 'Lieyang Artifact Forging Method'. It records all the forging methods from mortal artifacts to mystic artifacts, as well as the processing insights for various fire and metal attribute materials."

"You possess the rare Blazing Sun Body and cultivate both fire and metal, making you the perfect candidate to cultivate this method. The artifact forging heritage of our Lieyang Peak will depend on you to carry it forward in the future."

Peak Master Lieyang looked at Chu Shi, his eyes full of anticipation.

"As for the second volume, once you have cultivated the first volume to great success and can independently forge Mystic-grade mid-tier treasures, I will naturally pass it on to you. For any further needs, you will have to strive for them yourself."

Chu Shi was frantically complaining in his heart: Good grief, he really is inducing me to become a blacksmith! The Great Sun Vajra Body is for body tempering, the Blazing Sun Fist Imprint is for smashing with fists, and now he gives me gauntlets that can turn into a hammer, and stuffs me with an artifact forging manual... This old geezer is a magic cultivator himself and doesn't want to forge artifacts personally. He also feels embarrassed that the Lieyang Peak's heritage might end with him, right? So he just latches onto my excellent fire-metal constitution and milks me for all I'm worth! It turns out that from the day I entered the sect, I fell into your trap, you old fox!

While cursing up a storm in his heart, Chu Shi still maintained an expression of tearful gratitude on his face. He took the gauntlets and scroll with both hands, solemnly stored them in his storage bag, and bowed deeply to Peak Master Lieyang: "This disciple thanks Master for the generous gift! This disciple will certainly not fail Master's expectations, will cultivate diligently, and will carry forward the heritage of our Lieyang Peak!"

"Mm, go on down." Peak Master Lieyang nodded with satisfaction.

Chu Shi bowed again and turned to walk down the high platform.

"Congratulations, Fellow Daoist Lieyang, for taking in such an excellent disciple!" "Nephew Chu has such cultivation at such a young age, his future is limitless!" "Lieyang Peak has someone to carry on the legacy!" Below the platform, the peak masters and elders of the other peaks laughed and cupped their hands in congratulations.

Peak Master Lieyang laughed and returned the salute to everyone: "You all overpraise him. This child Chu Shi is still young, and he will need your guidance in the future."

He paused, then his gaze swept across the audience, and he said loudly: "It is rare for everyone to gather at my Lieyang Peak today, and it happens to coincide with the joy of me taking on a disciple. It just so happens that fellow daoists from the Four Seasons Holy Land and the Ice and Snow Holy Land have also brought a group of young talents to exchange pointers."

"I propose, why not take this opportunity to hold a sparring and exchange meeting for the new generation of disciples. Firstly, to let the young disciples from various Holy Lands spar with each other and learn from each other's strengths. Secondly, to let us old fogeys see what the new generation is made of. What do you all think?"

"Good idea! I agree!" "It should be so! I've long wanted to see the demeanor of the young disciples of the Great Sun Holy Land!" "The disciples of my Ice and Snow Holy Land have also been eager to try!" The leading elders from the Four Seasons Holy Land and the Ice and Snow Holy Land nodded in agreement. Clearly, this sparring and exchange meeting was something already planned.

"Since everyone has no objections, then it is settled." Peak Master Lieyang smiled, "To add some fun, I propose that we set some prizes for this exchange meeting."

"First place will be rewarded with one thousand low-grade Yuan stones, one Mystic-grade high-tier treasure, and an opportunity to enter the second floor of my Great Sun Holy Land's Scripture Pavilion to choose any cultivation technique! Second place will be rewarded with five hundred low-grade Yuan stones and one Mystic-grade mid-tier treasure! Third place will be rewarded with three hundred low-grade spirit stones and one Mystic-grade low-tier treasure!"

Once the prizes were announced, the young disciples below the platform were in an uproar, and their eyes ignited with blazing fighting spirit.

Seeing this, Peak Master Lieyang nodded with satisfaction. With a movement of his body, he instantly turned into a stream of red-gold light and flew down from the high platform. He landed on the main seat of the VIP area and sat with the other peak masters and visiting elders.

"The high platform will immediately be converted into a ring!" Peak Master Lieyang's voice sounded again. "The sparring and exchange meeting, begin now! Disciples, feel free to step down and participate!"

As soon as the words fell, an Inner Sect Disciple of the Great Sun Holy Land leaped onto the ring, holding a long sword, and said loudly: "I am Li Qiang, an Inner Sect Disciple of Lieyang Peak. Which senior or junior brother is willing to come up and offer some pointers?"

Before his words finished, a disciple from Zhengyang Peak jumped onto the ring opposite him: "I'll come and test you!"

For a time, the sounds of weapons clashing, energy bursting, and cheers rose one after another.

There were disciples with long-standing grievances taking the opportunity to settle scores, and there were disciples who wanted to stand out in front of the elders of various Holy Lands taking the initiative to challenge. Exciting matches were staged one after another, dazzling the onlookers.

Time passed bit by bit, and more and more disciples went down to spar. The heat wave on the square rose wave after wave, and the atmosphere became more and more heated...

The competition among the Inner Sect Disciples within the Great Sun Holy Land was gradually coming to an end. The last match was won by Liu Jie, an Inner Sect Disciple of Zhaoyang Peak; he held a long saber, bathed in fire, and cupped his hands to the surroundings, drawing cheers.

However, before the cheers died down, a cold voice suddenly rang out, like ice in the twelfth lunar month, instantly suppressing the heat of the entire scene. "The Inner Sect Disciples of the Great Sun Holy Land are nothing more than this."

As the voice fell, a figure in white landed in the center of the ring like falling snow. The person was a youth of seventeen or eighteen years old, with a handsome face, but carrying a chill that kept people at a distance. He wore the standard white robe of the Ice and Snow Holy Land, with an ice-blue jade pendant hanging at his waist, surrounded by cold air, and the ring beneath his feet instantly condensed a thin layer of white frost.

"Ice and Snow Holy Land, Han Bing." The youth spoke indifferently, his gaze sweeping over the audience below. "I just watched a dozen matches of newbies pecking at each other; it was truly boring. Now that it's finally over, let me test the mettle of your number one Inner Sect Disciple."

The whole audience suddenly went silent. The disciples below began to whisper.